The book's glow faded completely.
The hall plunged back into near-total darkness.
Only the high torches provided their weak, bluish light.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
The only sound was Shawn's ragged breathing as he stood in front of the queen.
The queen watched in silence.
Her red eyes gleamed in the dark.
'How strange,' Iris thought, analyzing what she had just witnessed.
For a moment, she had considered attacking the girl while she recited those strange words. It would have been easy.
One quick strike.
One precise movement.
And it would all be over.
But she hadn't done it.
Why?
The queen frowned, trying to understand her own actions.
And then she realized something.
Something that set this girl apart from every creature she had interacted with in recent months.
Her voice…
At no point had it grated on her ears.
Not when she spoke.
Not when she asked questions.
Not when she recited those strange words.
'How odd,' the queen thought, remembering how even the softest whisper from her maids gave her headaches.
But this girl's voice…
It was different.
Her words had felt comforting.
Soothing.
They had awakened a sense of peace she hadn't experienced in a very long time.
'How long has it been since I felt this way?' the queen thought, unable to remember.
And then it happened.
Shawn collapsed forward.
His body hit the floor right in front of the queen.
Thud!
The dull impact echoed through the hall.
The queen instinctively stepped back.
Her red eyes fixed on the fallen figure.
She waited one second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The girl didn't move.
'What is she planning?' the queen thought, keeping her guard up.
But after several more seconds, the girl remained motionless.
The queen decided to take the initiative.
She approached slowly.
One step.
Two steps.
Three steps.
And then she noticed something.
Walking didn't hurt.
Her legs moved easily.
No dizziness.
No pain.
No discomfort.
'What…?' the queen thought, surprised by her own body.
She knelt beside the girl.
And that didn't hurt either.
Her knees didn't creak.
Her back didn't protest.
It was as if…
'As if I were healthy,' the queen thought, unable to believe it.
"Hey," Iris said, looking down at the girl on the floor. "What's wrong with you?"
No response.
"What was all that you did earlier?" Iris asked.
Silence.
The girl didn't answer.
Iris clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Tch."
She turned the girl's body over, taking her by the shoulder and rolling her gently.
The girl's face came into view.
Her eyes were closed, her expression peaceful.
She was completely unconscious.
Iris let out a small laugh.
"Hehehe…" she laughed, gazing at the sleeping face. "You're quite the abuser."
Her tone was mocking.
"You come here, put on that whole show, and then pass out right in front of me," Iris said, shaking her head. "What kind of healer are you?"
The girl didn't respond.
The queen sighed and decided to pick her up.
She slipped one arm under the girl's legs and the other behind her back.
And lifted her.
To her surprise, it took no effort at all.
'She's light,' the queen thought. 'Or maybe… I've regained some of my strength.'
Iris hoisted the girl over her shoulder.
Then she walked toward the main door of the throne room.
"Guards!" the queen called firmly.
The door opened immediately.
Several royal knights rushed in.
"Your Majesty!" one exclaimed. "What's happening? Are you all right?"
The knights were somewhat disoriented by the darkness.
Their eyes struggled to adjust, barely able to see.
"Order the maids to prepare a room," the queen said calmly.
The knights blinked.
Hearing the queen's calm tone, they realized there was no immediate danger and relaxed slightly.
"Right away, Your Majesty!" one replied in a rather loud voice.
One of his companions shot him a warning look.
"Hey!" the companion whispered, elbowing him. "Don't shout in front of the queen!"
The knight realized his mistake.
His face paled.
"M-my apologies, Your Majesty," he said in a much lower tone, bowing his head. "I didn't mean to raise my voice."
The queen observed him in silence.
But she felt no irritation.
The sound of the knights entering.
The clink of their armor as they moved.
Their voices as they spoke.
None of it caused her pain.
None of it grated on her ears.
'So it's true,' the queen thought, confirming her suspicions. 'That girl really healed my illness.'
This left her quite confused.
According to the rumors that had reached her, this girl healed simply by touch.
She placed her hands on wounds and they closed.
That was it.
But she had never heard anything about speaking to a floating book.
Or reciting strange verses.
'What kind of power is that?' the queen thought, glancing sideways at the unconscious girl on her shoulder.
The queen looked back at the knights.
"There is no longer any need to speak in hushed tones in my presence," she announced.
The knights looked at her in surprise.
"Your Majesty?" one asked, confused.
Another knight stepped forward.
His face showed disbelief.
"Did that girl heal you?" he asked in a trembling voice.
The queen smiled.
A genuine smile.
Something the knights hadn't seen in a very long time.
"It appears so," the queen replied. "Very soon, I will resume my duties as queen."
The knights exchanged glances.
Their faces showed a mix of shock and joy.
One spoke with concern.
"Your Majesty," he said carefully. "Are you sure you don't want to take some extra time to rest? Just to make sure you're truly well."
The queen's smile vanished.
Her red eyes fixed on the knight who had spoken.
And then she radiated something.
Killing intent.
Strong.
Heavy.
Crushing.
The knight felt his legs tremble.
"Since when does a subject dare question my orders?" the queen asked coldly.
The knight swallowed hard.
"I-I… my apologies, Your Majesty," he stammered, bowing his head quickly. "I didn't mean to question you. I was only concerned for your well-being."
The queen stared at him for several seconds.
Then she remembered the girl on her shoulder.
Her expression softened slightly.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood today," the queen said, withdrawing her killing intent.
The knight let out a sigh of relief.
"Now go," the queen ordered. "All of you. Before I change my mind."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the knights replied in unison.
They began to withdraw quickly.
One after another, they left the hall.
Until only one remained.
The knight who had offered to stay in case the queen needed anything.
The queen paid him no attention.
Instead, she looked at the face of the girl she was carrying.
Her eyes were closed.
Her breathing was soft and even.
She looked like she was having a deep, peaceful dream.
The queen gazed at that face for a few seconds.
"I hope you have sweet dreams," Iris murmured quietly.